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HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL OPEN HOUSE

By
Real Estate Agent with Alain Pinel Realtors

Here are some pointers even the seasoned agents need to go back to open house 101

Advertise make sure you go the extra mile maybe with a picture of the house or bold the advertisement to get your advertisement noticed.

People need to get to the house make sure you have enough signs

Get to the open house at least 15 minutes before pickup any papers in front of the house- if the house needs to be swept in front sweep it!! Have plenty of flyers

Advertise on Craigslist and your local MlS for the open houses plus there are a lot of different websites you can advertise on free

Make sure the house shines in the event your clients are not the neatest people explain to them the benefit of having a clean house. Advise the sellers to declutter areas and put personal items away

Play music I have a portable player for my IPOD and I take it to evey open house

If the house has a fireplace and the weather is on the cool side light a log (get permission from the seller first)

Greet every person at the front door (do not sit) remember everybody that comes through that door may be interested in finding an agent to list their house

If the weather is warm have bottled water for the people coming through the open house

Open all blinds and turn on every light.

MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION!!!

any other suggestions?

Roy T Robinette
the Real Estate Firm - Springfield, IL

This sounds great ........................what if the house is $55,000  OR   $100,000 over priced......HMMMMMMMMM

Aug 11, 2008 02:08 PM
Antoinette Galindo
Alain Pinel Realtors - Burlingame, CA
CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO

Roy,

Then you really have to work on the sellers to reduce the price especially in this market!!!!

Aug 11, 2008 02:12 PM
Jim Curry
Re/ Max Achievers - Hagerstown, MD
Realtor

Great advise; I would also have information on the area for the "Out of Towners" - just in case.  And some snacks - candy, crackers, etc..

Aug 11, 2008 02:24 PM
Rich Mielke
REMAX Results, Frederick MD - Frederick, MD
REALTOR, Frederick Maryland Real Estate

Good point about greeting visitors at the door. Buyers are sometimes hesitant about just walking in the door at an open house.

Aug 11, 2008 02:48 PM
Julie Q. Fuelling
Keller Williams Katy @ Cinco Ranch - Katy, TX
Real Estate Consultant

Just mailed invitations to all the neighbors on the street for a Saturday Open House. Also, put up a sign, "Open Saturday 1-4", on the For Sale sign.

Aug 11, 2008 02:51 PM
Stanley Stepak
Howard Hanna - Avon Lake, OH - Avon Lake, OH
Realtor - Avon Lake, Avon, Bay Village, Westlake,

Great reminders.  I have been terrible on the last 3 outings getting there early and find myself rushed to getting to the house.  Not the way to do these. Thanks for the advise.

Stan

stanley.stepak@realliving.com

Realty One -  Avon Lake, Ohio

Aug 11, 2008 04:18 PM
Antoinette Galindo
Alain Pinel Realtors - Burlingame, CA
CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO

Julie,

That is one of the points I forgot to mention I send out 500 invitations to the surrounding area to invite people to the open house for Saturday or Sunday or sometimes both.

Stanley,

I know myself if I'm late and people are waiting for you at the open house it just throws everything off so I have really made it a practice to get there 15 minutes early- try it next time you do an open house it just works better

Aug 11, 2008 08:55 PM